Just wondering if someone could give me an idea of what lowering springs to run on my 69 Chevelle, considering that I am installing a 2002 LS6 engine in it. I am considering Hotchkis springs on all four corners, but wasn't sure what spring rate to go with up front. Their front springs-meant for the 307 ci (part #1901) - have a spring rate of 500 lbs. Does this seem a tad stiff???? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

I think those springs would work fine.

500 lbs/inch isn't that stiff.

60s corvettes had a similar rate if not stiffer.

i have 550/175 in black magic circle track springs, and i think i should have gone stiffer.
IIRC if you go above 550lbs/in you would need to use a good shock like a varishock for example.

the front seems kind of soft yet with my 550 front with hotchkis shocks.

do a search on hotchkis springs.. youll see some good information.

aaron

I ended up pulling the Hotchkis springs off of the front of my car. It sat way too high in the front end. I ended up putting my new moog springs back in it and after I cut a coil and a half off of them. From the door/fender gap to the floor was 14" on the front, the back of the rocker panel right in front of the rear tire to the ground was only only 10". After I put the Moog spring back in it, I had the front end down to 9", 5" lower than the Hotchkis springs. I will probably buy the black magic springs/tall adjusters this winter and change them out. I do have a small block with aluminum heads, intake, water pump, rad, etc, so I'm sure that I have removed some of the weight needed to compress those springs.

I ended up pulling the Hotchkis springs off of the front of my car. It sat way too high in the front end. I ended up putting my new moog springs back in it and after I cut a coil and a half off of them. From the door/fender gap to the floor was 14" on the front, the back of the rocker panel right in front of the rear tire to the ground was only only 10". After I put the Moog spring back in it, I had the front end down to 9", 5" lower than the Hotchkis springs. I will probably buy the black magic springs/tall adjusters this winter and change them out. I do have a small block with aluminum heads, intake, water pump, rad, etc, so I'm sure that I have removed some of the weight needed to compress those springs.

Why not just cut the Hotchkis springs to get the stance you want?

I had to do that with a set in a Camaro once. Those springs out of the box just don't lower it enough IMO.

Why not just cut the Hotchkis springs to get the stance you want?

I had to do that with a set in a Camaro once. Those springs out of the box just don't lower it enough IMO.


I'm going to put them on dad's 72 Chevelle SS. They are small block springs, but they should actually sit where they should under his big block. He is going to be rebuilding the front end on his car in the next couple of weeks.

67' El Co
Front
Summit POS stock replacement springs
with two and a half coils dead from spacers
guesstimate 750lb linear

Rear
Alston Vari Shocks
spring pre loaded about a 1/2"
175 Rate

96 Impala SS
take a guess :-)